Join us for the PlaceShapers Annual Conference: The Next Chapter: Housing, Place and Community.
The Spending Review has given the sector the confidence and tools they need to firm up plans for building new homes and investing in existing homes. But what does this mean for our place-shaping role and our ability to invest in our places and our communities?
The PlaceShapers conference will be a unique opportunity to discuss what the future looks like for our place-shaping role, and, perhaps more importantly, how we can prepare for the challenges our communities and places will face over the next ten years.
Everyone attending our two-day virtual conference, free to members, will come away with:
- Increased knowledge from influential speakers, sector leaders and residents who share your ethos and ambition for your communities.
- Actionable ideas to help you in your place-shaping role.
- Inspiration on what good looks like and the chance to share your perspective.
- Insight and learning from the shared challenges across our membership.
Register now and hold the two days in your calendar. We know your time is precious, you don't have to commit to the full two days, just pick and mix the sessions that are relevant to you and work with your diary.
Places are only available to PlaceShapers member organisations and their representatives.
Huge thanks to our friends at Anthony Collins for sponsoring this year’s conference.
9.45am-10.15am
Opening remarks.
- A panel will share their reflections on the Spending Review, the government’s ambitions for a decade of national renewal and their hopes for the future of social housing and place-shaping.
Featuring:
Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Leeds Federated.
Victoria Dingle, Vice Chair and involved resident, Soha.
10.15am- 11.05am - Panel Session
Realising the potential of housing associations in places and communities.
- Building on the momentum of the Spending Review, how can we contribute as effectively as possible to the decade of national renewal and how can government help?
- How can the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme support different responses to the housing crisis in different places?
Featuring:
Dilys Jones, Assistant Director - Affordable Housing Growth, Homes England.
Chris Weston, Director of Development and Commercial Services, Coastline.
Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
Chaired by David Cummins, CEO, Warrington Housing Association.
11.30am-12.20pm - Panel session
Maximising the opportunities of collaboration and partnership working.
- Beyond building new homes, what are the opportunities of working more closely with combined authorities, local authorities and neighbouring housing associations and how can our communities benefit?
Featuring:
James Clark, Director of Housing, Sheffield City Council.
John Johnston, CEO, Bernicia.
James Francis, CEO, Saffron.
Chaired by Donna Cezair, CEO, Worthing Homes.
12.45pm-1.35pm - Roundtable
A roundtable for chairs and board members.
- How are chairs and boards navigating the current risks and opportunities facing place-shaping housing associations, including devolution, the climate crisis and the expectations of government?
Facilitated by Peter Hubbard, Managing Partner, Anthony Collins Solicitors.
2pm-2.35pm - Bite size
Measuring our impact as place-shapers.
- How can we measure the impact of our place-shaping activities in a way that is compelling for stakeholders and why does it matter?
Featuring:
Matt Whittaker, CEO, Pro Bono Economics.
Jo Savage, CEO, Greatwell Homes.
Chaired by Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
3pm-3.50pm - Panel session
Transforming our environment for current and future generations.
- How can we better use our land and assets to respond not just to the climate crisis, but to help create healthier, more sustainable communities where people can thrive?
Featuring:
Jo Shields, Head of Sustainability and ESG, whg.
Dr Philip Askew, Director Landscape, Peabody.
Sarah Reece-Mills, Director of Partnerships, Groundwork UK.
Chaired by Gayle Monk, Legal Director, Anthony Collins Solicitors.
4.15pm-4.45pm
In conversation with – The Fabian Society.
- The influential left leaning think-tank The Fabian Society will lead an interactive conversation on what more the government can do to bring a lasting and meaningful end to the housing crisis.
Featuring:
Ben Cooper, The Fabian Society.
Matt Sugden, CEO, Railway Housing.
Chaired by Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
9.30am-10.20am - Panel session
Preparing for the challenges our communities face over the long-term.
- What are the big changes our communities will face over the next ten years?
- What can we do now to ensure they are resilient as possible to the challenges these changes may bring?
Featuring:
Kate Wareing, CEO, Soha.
Hannah Aldridge, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Resolution Foundation.
Steve Southwell, Resident, Worthing Homes.
Chaired by Gary Fulford, Group Chief Executive, whg.
10.45am-11.35am - Panel session
Building new homes that create sustainable and inclusive places.
- How do we think about how a place will work for the people who live there when we are planning and building new homes?
- How can we ensure new communities are integrated into existing neighbourhoods?
Featuring:
Sarah Robson, Executive Director of Development and Asset Management, Karbon.
James Badley, RGP Architects.
Tom Chance, CEO, CLT Network.
Chaired by Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Leeds Federated.
12pm-12.35pm
In conversation with – The Regulator of Social Housing.
- Is the sector equipped to respond to the challenges our communities will face over the next ten years?
Featuring:
Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement, Regulator of Social Housing.
Chaired by Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
1pm-1.50pm - Workshop
Communications workshop.
- Join fellow PlaceShapers communicators for topical insight and discussion.
Facilitated by Joanna Charlton, Communications Lead, PlaceShapers.
2.15pm-2.50pm - Bite size
Supporting community cohesion through challenging times.
- How can housing associations respond when communities are under strain?
- How can their actions build trust, target support and promote community cohesion?
Featuring:
Reverend James Olanipekun, Tenant Ambassador, Poplar HARCA.
Jamie Scudamore, CEO, Belong.
Chaired by Charlie Norman, CEO, MSV Housing.
3.15pm-4.05pm - Panel session
Regenerating places in partnership with communities.
- How can we ensure long-term meaningful regeneration genuinely starts with the people who live in a place and that it delivers what they need to live well?
Featuring:
Steve Hepworth, CEO, Ongo.
Jonathan Higgs, CEO, Raven.
Madeleine Jennings, Head of Policy & Communications, Local Trust
Chaired by Claire Higgins, Vice Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Cross Keys Homes.
4.05pm-4.15pm
Closing remarks.
Featuring:
Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Leeds Federated.
Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.